Blackwater Worldwide and the terrible irony of it all

[babylonsister]

Blackwater Worldwide and the terrible irony of it all.

by James Strait

Blackwater is that point in the ocean or any deep body of water where light no longer penetrates. Thus, lacking illumination, the activities taking place at those depths remain mysterious, unknown, and unverifiable. Thus, by accident or design Blackwater Worldwide, the “privately owned security” organization is aptly named.

Transparency is a fundamental precept in the American Democratic system that is of paramount importance. Organizations such as Blackwater Worldwide exist in a style that is counter to transparency. That makes them very scary. Much evil intent can masquerade as national security interests, and Blackwater markets itself as a righteous effort whose only function is to protect American interests. “Guided by integrity, innovation, accountability, and a desire for a safer world, Blackwater Worldwide leverages state-of-the-art training facilities, professional program management teams, and innovative manufacturing and production capabilities to deliver world-class, customer-driven solutions.”

This kind of hyperbole is the common marketing language found on the Blackwater Worldwide website. Within the mission statement is a single revealing word, and I believe that single word defines their mindset. Possibly it was a Freudian slip, but why use the word “leverages”, as opposed to blends, or combines, or tailors? Leverage is a power word, a word of force.

Make no mistake; Blackwater Worldwide is about leveraged force, power, and control.

While being critical of Blackwater, I will freely confess to having a Special Forces background; a very modest experience during another lifetime forty years ago. But, it was my exposure to the special operations mindset that provides me with at least an inkling of understanding about what we are facing with the birth and growth of a “privately owned” domestically based special operations force. Trust me, it takes one to know one, these fella’s are nothing more than boys with huge egos and a love of conflict toys. They like blowing stuff up. They like surveillance. They like playing 007. More than like, they LOVE it. And to get paid more than our military pays and to have more flexible rules of engagement than our military permits, is their collective and individual nirvana.

As a domestic paramilitary entity with a growth rate similar to that of Islam, Blackwater threatens to be yet another nightmarish organization that will have the methodologies and operators to become a formidable domestic surveillance organization. All while providing a veil of plausible deniability to those employing them. And make no mistake again, they ARE mercenaries and will allow themselves great latitude when choosing for whom they will work.

The very fact that Blackwater exists is a barometer of our times. They are not the stylized Pinkertons, or Wells Fargo of the 19th century where the private security contractors actually provided quantifiable and measurable service. Rather, Blackwater is more akin to the renegade Quantrills Raiders that wrecked havoc during Americas Civil War guided only by anger and bigotry. Blackwater's existence is anathema to America’s long term interests and is the kind of agency which has the potential to become a black hole into which many American freedoms can be twisted, subverted, and maybe even forever disappear.

more...

http://www.opednews.com/articles/genera_james_st_071121_blackwater_worldwide.htm

[Lord Wortherington]

1. The corporations are merely testing the waters with Blackwater.

To see if the American public will tolerate such a thing as a corporate army accountable to nobody but the board of directors and the highest bidder. Apparently America doesn't really care.

[babylonsister]

2. I think you might be wrong about America not caring.

This is not over; Waxman, our very own pit bull, has a jawful and doesn't seem to be letting go.

[C_U_L8R]

3. Good lord, what will happen when the Cola Wars break out?

mercenaries suck.